Machine for pulling railroad-spikes from ties.



T. C. CHAPMAN.

MACHINE FOR PULLING RAILROAD SPlKES FROM TIES.

Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

THOMAS CORWIN CHAPMAN, 0F DAGGETT, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOJ. C. MOMILLAN, OF DAGGETT, CALIFORNIA.

MACHINE FOR PULLING RAILROAD-SPIKES FROM TIES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented A11 21, 1917.

Application filed October 23, 1916. Serial No. 127,171.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS CoRwIN CHAPMAN, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Daggett, in the county of San Bernardino and Stateof California, have invented a new and useful Machine for PullingRailroad-Spikes from Ties, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is preferably constructed of steel and relates to animprovement in spikepulling machines. It operates in such a way as topreserve intact the spike so pulled so that. it can be used thereafterthe same as in the first instance. The ordinary bar used for pullingsuch spikes, so acts as to bend or twist the spike pulled with it, andthereby renders the same unfit for re-use; but my invention, by drawingsuch spike directly upward for all its length, preserves the shape ofthe same, and leaves it in as good condition for re-use as when firstdriven into the tie.

The figure herewith shown is a view of my invention when in position foruse. 1 is a lever, and when in position for use has its fulcrum at 2.The lower arm of the lever is a half circle with 2 as its true axis. At3 is attached to said lever, preferably a chain with short links, and onthe unattached, or lower end of said chain, is fastened a clutch that isso shaped as to engage and securely hold the head of the spike to bepulled. 4 is the frame in which such lever works, and holds it inposition when in operation.

When said improvement is placed in position for its intended use and theclutch above mentioned is so placed as to engage the spike to be pulled,then the long end of the lever should be moved so as to bring a strainon the chain. As the chain moves upward, the spike must move with it.The half-circle on which the chain rests keeps the chain pulling alwaysin the same direction, which at all times lifts the spike in the samedirection, and thus removes it from the tie without bending it or in anyway changing its form, and such spike can be-again used as in the firstinstance.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a standard provided at its upperend with a lateral arm adapted to "rest upon the top of the rail, alever pivoted on the standard and provided with a semi-circular headextending toward the outer end of said arm, a chain attached to theupper end of said semi-circular head and adapted to run upon theperiphery thereof, said chain being pro vided with a spike clutch at itslower end,

for the purpose set forth.

of said arm, a chain attached to the upper end of said semi-circularhead and adapted to run upon the periphery thereof, said chain beingprovided with a spike clutch at its lower end, for the purpose setforth.

THOMAS CORWIN CHAPMAN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. 0.

